The Race, Bullimore's crew now number six

by Barry Pickthall on 22 Feb 2001 TEAM LEGATO to rejoin THE RACE later today. Jason Owen stays ashore on
medical grounds

Tony Bullimore and his TEAM LEGATO crew, now down to 6 in number, will
re-joined THE RACE in a few hours time after a starter motor flown down from
Auckland arrives at 08:00 and is fitted to one of their generators. 'We are
ready to go and the engineer is onboard ready to fit the starter as soon as
it arrives from the airport. Hopefully, we will be off by 09:00 local time.'
Said Bullimore.

Continued medical problems ruled out navigator Jason Owen from re-joining
the boat after a late fitness test today showed that he was in need of
further physiotherapy. 'Jason's back problems stem from when TEAM LEGATO
nose-dived into a wave a week ago when two Frenchmen, Armand Coursodon and
Olivier Cusin were also injured.' Tony Bullimore explained, adding. 'Ocean
Racing is one of the toughest challenges. That is the great appeal. If it
wasn't, then we would be organising holiday packages round the world.
Personal injuries are one of the hazards we try to avoid, but if and when
they happen, my first thought as skipper has to be for crew welfare. We are
all sorry that Jason, Armand and Olivier are not able to join us for the
last and perhaps most exciting part of this challenge, sailing round Cape
Horn, but their health has to be the first priority.'

Bullimore also expressed surprise at the media attention given to the
departure yesterday of journalist Rob Salvidge. 'Rob's decision to leave the
boat was for personal reasons which we respect and understand. The issues
have been blown up out of all proportion and the crew and I have taken all
that we have read in the press with a pinch of salt. Rob departed on the
best of terms and with our good wishes, as I am sure he will confirm when he
gets back to Blighty today. And when we get back to Bristol, I'm sure that
he will be one of the first to greet us on the quay.'

Bullimore's thoughts are now focused on re-catching his Polish rivals on
Warta Polpharma who left Wellington four days ago, and Team Adventure which
departed on February 19.
'We caught up 1,800 miles on the stage from the Cape of Good Hope to New
Zealand. We have both the boat and experience onboard to do the same on the
next stage through the Southern Ocean to Cape Horn. It is going to be a
tough challenge, but there is another 12,000 miles to go. We are all
determined to make a real race out of it. It is going to make for an
exciting finish back to Marseilles.' He promised.

For further details, pictures and daily audio feed from the boat, contact
Barry Pickthall at the Team Legato Race office
Mobile Phone: +44 (0) 7768 395719
Office +44 (0) 1243 555561 Fax: +44 (0)1243 555562
E.mail: ppl@mistral.co.uk Web site: www.teamlegato.com